s-Phenenyltris(sulfonylimino)tri-benzene mono- and di-sulfonic acids and salts complement inhibitors

ABSTRACT

s-Phenenyltris(sulfonylimino)tri-benzene mono- and di-sulfonic acids and their salts which are useful as complement inhibitors.

This is a division, of application Ser. No. 973,313, filed Dec. 26, 1978, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,346.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The term "complement" refers to a complex group of proteins in body fluids that, working together with antibodies or other factors, play an important role as mediators of immune, allergic, immunochemical and/or immunopathological reactions. The reactions in which complement participates take place in blood serum or in other body fluids, and hence are considered to be humoral reactions.

With regard to human blood, there are at present more than 11 proteins in the complement system. These complement proteins are designated by the letter C and by number: C1, C2, C3 and so on up to C9. The complement protein C1 is actually an assembly of subunits designated C1q, C1r and C1s. The numbers assigned to the complement proteins reflect the sequence in which they become active, with the exception of complement protein C4, which reacts after C1 and before C2. The numerical assignments for the proteins in the complement system were made before the reaction sequence was fully understood. A more detailed discussion of the complement system and its role in the body processes can be found in, for example, Bull. World Health Org., 39, 935-938 (1968); Ann. Rev. Medicine, 19, 1-24 (1968); The Johns Hopkins Med. J., 128, 57-74 (1971); Harvey Lectures, 66, 75-104 (1972); The New England Journal of Medicine, 287, 452-454; 489-495; 545-549; 592-596; 642-646 (1972); Scientific American, 229, (No. 5), 54-66 (1973); Federation Proceedings, 32, 134-137 (1973); Medical World News, October 11, 1974, pp. 53-66; J. Allergy Clin. Immunol., 53, 298-302 (1974); Cold Spring Harbor Conf. Cell Proliferation 2/Proteases Biol. Control/229-241 (1975); Ann. Review of Biochemistry, 44, 697 (1975); Complement in Clinical Medicine, Disease-a-Month, (1975); Complement, Scope, December 1975; Annals of Inernal Medicine, 84, 580-593 (1976); "Complement: Mechanisms and Functions," Prentice-Hall, Engle-wood Cliffs, N.J. (1976); Essays Med. Biochem., 2, 1-35 (1976); Hospital Practice, 12, 33-43 (1977); Perturbation of Complement in Disease, Chap. 15 in Biological Amplification Systems in Immunology (Ed. Day and Good), Plenum, New York and London (1977); Am. J. Clin. Pathology, 68, 647-659 (1977).

The complement system can be considered to consist of three sub-systems: (1) a recognition unit (C1q) which enables it to combine with antibody molecules that have detected a foreign invader; (2) an activation unit (C1r, C1s, C2, C4, C3) which prepares a site on the neighboring membrane; and (3) an attack unit (C5, C6, C7, C8 and C9) which creates a "hole" in the membrane. The membrane attack unit is non-specific; it destroys invaders only because it is generated in their neighborhood. In order to minimize damage to the host's own cells, its activity must be limited in time. This limitation is accomplished partly by the spontaneous decay of activated complement and partly by interference by inhibitors and destructive enzymes. The control of complement, however, is not perfect, and there are times when damage is done to the host's cells. Immunity is, therefore, a double-edged sword.

Activation of the complement system also accelerates blood clotting. This action comes about by way of the complement-mediated release of a clotting factor from platelets. The biologically active complement fragments and complexes can become involved in reactions that damage the host's cells, and these pathogenic reactions can result in the development of immune-complex diseases. For example, in some forms of nephritis, complement damages the basal membrane of the kidney, resulting in the escape of protein from the blood into the urine. The disease disseminated lupus erythematosus belongs in this category; its symptoms include nephritis, visceral lesions and skin eruptions. The treatment of diphtheria or tetanus with the injection of large amounts of antitoxin sometimes results in serum sickness, an immune-complex disease. Rheumatoid arthritis also involves immune complexes. Like disseminated lupus erythematosus, it is an autoimmune disease in which the disease symptoms are caused by pathological effects of the immune system in the host's tissues. In summary, the complement system has been shown to be involved with inflammation, coagulation, fibrinolysis, antibody-antigen reactions and other metabolic processes.

In the presence of antibody-antigen complexes the complement proteins are involved in a series of reactions which may lead to irreversible membrane damage if they occur in the vicinity of biological membranes. Thus, while complement constitutes a part of the body's defense mechanism against infection it also results in inflammation and tissue damage in the immunopathological process. The nature of certain of the complement proteins, suggestions regarding the mode of complement binding to biological membranes and the manner in which complement effects membrane damage are discussed in Annual Review in Biochemistry, 38, 389 (1969); Journal of Immunology, 119, 1-8, 1195, 1358-1364, 1482 (1977).

A variety of substances have been disclosed as inhibiting the complement system, i.e., as complement inhibitors. For example, the compounds 3,3'-ureylenebis[6-(2-amino-8-hydroxy-6-sulfo-1-naphthylazo)benzenesulfonic acid], tetrasodium salt (chlorazol fast pink), heparin and a sulphated dextran have been reported to have an anticomplementary effect, British Journal of Experimental Pathology, 33, 327-339 (1952). German Pat. No. 2,254,893 or South African Patent No. 727,923 discloses certain 1-(diphenylmethyl)-4-(3-phenylallyl)piperazines useful as complement inhibitors. Other chemical compounds having complement inhibiting activity are disclosed in, for example, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 12, 415-419; 902-905; 1049-1052; 1053-1056 (1969); Canadian Journal of Biochemistry, 47, 547-552 (1969); The Journal of Immunology, 104, 279-288 (1970); The Journal of Immunology, 106, 241-245 (1971); The Journal of Immunology, 111, 1061-1066 (1973); Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 317, 539-548 (1973); Life Sciences, 13, 351-362 (1973); Journal of Immunology, 113, 584 (1974); Immunology, 26, 819-829 (1974); Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 17, 1160-1167 (1974); Biochim. Biophys. Res. Comm., 67, 225-263 (1975 ); Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 256, 441-450 (1975); Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 19, 634-639, 1079 (1976); Journal of Immunology, 118, 466 (1977); Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn., 226, 281-285 (1977); Biochem. Pharmcol. 26, 325-329 (1977); Journal Pharm. Sci., 66, 1367-1377 (1977); Chem. Pharm. Bull., 25, 1202-1208 (1977); Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 484, 417-422 (1977) and Journal Clin. Microbiology, 5, 278-284 (1977).

It has been reported that the known complement inhibitors epsilon-aminocarpoic acid and tranexamic acid have been used with success in the treatment of hereditary angioneurotic edema, a disease state resulting from an inherited deficiency or lack of function of the serum inhibitor of the activated first component of complement (C1 inhibitor), The New England Journal of Medicine, 286, 808-812 (1972), 287, 452-454 (1972); Ann. Intern. Med., 84, 580-593 (1976); J. Allergy and Clin. Immunology, 60, 38-40 (1977).

It has also been reported that the drug pentosan-polysulfoester has an anticomplementary activity on human serum, both in vitro and in vivo, as judged by the reduction in total hemolytic complement activity; Pathologie Biologie, 25, 33-36, 25 (2), 105-108, 25 (3), 179-184 (1977).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is concerned with compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein each R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkali metal; each R₁, R₂ and R₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and SO₃ A, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt cation; provided that at least one of the R₁, R₂ and R₃ groups on each phenyl is SO₃ A; and further provided that when R₂ is SO₃ A, R₁ and R₃ may not be SO₃ A.

This invention is also concerned with a method of inhibiting the complement system in a body fluid, such as blood serum, which comprises subjecting body fluid complement to the action of an effective complement inhibiting amount of a compound encompassed within the formula hereinabove. The method of use aspect of this invention is also concerned with a method of inhibiting the complement system in a warm-blooded animal which comprises administering to said animal an effective complement inhibiting amount of a compound encompassed within the formula hereinabove. Body fluid can include blood, plasma, serum, synovial fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, or pathological accumulations of fluid such as pleural effusion etc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Compunds of the present invention may be prepared according to the following flowchart. ##STR2##

In accordance with the above flowchart, a disodium benzene-1,3-disulfonate (1) is treated with sodium nitrate in concentrated sulfuric acid at 65° C. for several hours producing disodium 5-nitrobenzene-1,3-disulfonate (2), which is then reacted with thionyl chloride in dimethylformamide at reflux with crystallization from a boiling mixture of chloroform and carbon tetrachloride to give 5-nitro-1,3-benzenedisulfonyl chloride (3).

The 5-nitro compound (3) is then reacted with p-tert.-butyl phenol and dry pyridine with heat, cooled and diluted with ice and acetic acid and purified from a hot mixture of acetone and ethanol, giving 5-nitro-1,3-benzenedisulfonic acid, di-(p-tert.-butylphenyl)ester (4). The ester (4) is catalytically reduced to the corresponding amine (5) using 10% palladium-on-carbon catalyst. The amine (5) is then treated with 1,3,5-benzenetrisulfonyl chloride in dry pyridine and heat for several hours then acidified giving 5,5',5"-[s-pheneyltris(sulfonylimino)]tri-m-benzenedisulfonic acid, hexa(p-tert.-butylphenyl)ester (6). This ester (6) is treated with sodium ethoxide in dimethylsulfoxide followed by treatment with acetic acid to give the desired 5,5',5"-[s-pheneyltris(sulfonylimino)]tri-m-benzenedisulfonic acid, hexasodium salt (7).

Following the procedure outlined above, utilizing sodium p-nitrobenzenesulfonate as a starting material affords the compound, 4,4'4"-[s-pheneyltris(sulfonylimino)]tri-benzenesulfonic acid, trisodium salt.

Compounds of the present invention find utility as complement inhibitors in body fluid and as such may be used to ameliorate or prevent those pathological reactions requiring the function of complement and in the therapeutic treatment of warm-blooded animals having immunologic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, certain kinds of glomerulonephritis, certain kinds of auto-allergic hemolytic anemia, certain kinds of platelet disorders and certain kinds of vasculitis. The compounds herein may also be used in the therapeutic treatment of warm-blooded animals having non-immunologic diseases such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobrinuria, hereditary antioneurotic edema (treated with Suramin, etc.) and inflammatory states induced by the action of bacterial or lysosomal enzymes on the appropriate complement components as for example, inflammation following coronary occulusion. They may also be useful in the treatment of transplant rejection and as blood culture or transport mediums.

The compounds of the present invention may be administered internally, e.g., orally or parenterally, such as intra-articularly, to a warm-blooded animal to inhibit complement in the body fluid of the animal, such inhibition being useful in the amelioration or prevention of those reactions dependent upon the function of complement, such as inflammatory process and cell membrane damage induced by antigen-antibody complexes. A range of doses may be employed depending on the mode of administration, the condition being treated and the particular compound being used. For example, for intravenous or subcutaneous use from about 5 to about 50 mg/kg/day, or every six hours for more rapidly excreted salts, may be used. For intra-articular use for large joints such as the knee, from about 2 to about 20 mg/joint per week may be used, with proportionally smaller doses for smaller joints. The dosage range is to be ajusted to provide optimum therapeutic response in the warm-blooded animal being treated. In general, the amount of compound administered can vary over a wide range to provide from about 5 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg of body weight of animal per day. The usual daily dosage for a 70 kg subject may vary from about 350 mg to about 3.5 g. Unit doses of the acid or salt can contain from about 0.5 mg to about 500 mg.

While in general the sodium salts of the acids of the invention are suitable for parenteral use, other salts may also be prepared, such as those of primary amines, e.g., ethylamine; secondary amines, e.g., diethylamine or diethanolamine; tertiary amines, e.g., pyridine or triethylamine or 2-dimethylaminomethyldibenzofuran; aliphatic diamines, e.g., decamethylenediamine; and aromatic diamines, can be prepared. Some of these are soluble in water, others are soluble in saline solution, and still others are insoluble and can be used for purposes of preparing suspensions for injection. Furthermore, as well as the sodium salt, those of the alkali metals, such as potassium and lithium; of ammonia; and of the alkaline earth metals, such as calcium or magnesium, may be employed. It will be apparent, therefore, that these salts embrace, in general, derivatives of salt-forming cations.

The compounds of the present invention may also be administered topically in the form of ointments, creams, lotions and the like, suitable for the treatment of complement dependent dermatological disorders.

Moreover, the compounds of the present invention may be administered in the form of dental pastes, ointments, buccal tablets and other compositions suitable for application periodontally for the treatment of periodontitis and related diseases of the oral cavity.

In therapeutic use, the compounds of this invention may be administered in the form of conventional pharmaceutical compositions. Such compositions may be formulated so as to be suitable for oral or parenteral administration. The active ingredient may be combined in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which carrier may take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration, i.e., oral or parenteral. The compounds can be used in compositions such as tablets. Here, the principal active ingredient is mixed with conventional tabletting ingredients such as corn starch, lactose, sucrose, sorbitol, talc, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, dicalcium phosphate, gums, or similar materials as non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable diluents or carriers. The tablets or pills of the novel compositions can be laminated or otherwise compounded to provide a dosage form affording the advantage of prolonged or delayed action or predetermined successive action of the enclosed medication. For example, the table or pill can comprise an inner dosage and an outer dosage component, the latter being in the form of an envelope over the former. The two components can be separated by an enteric layer which serves to resist disintegration in the stomach and permits the inner component to pass intact into the duodenum or to be delayed in release. A variety of materials can be used for such enteric layers or coatings, such materials including a number of polymeric acids or mixtures of polymeric acids with such materials as shellac, shellac and cetyl alcohol, cellulose acetate and the like. A particularly advantageous enteric coating comprises a styrene maleic acid copolymer together with known materials contributing to the enteric properties of the coating. The tablet or pill may be colored through the use of an appropriate non-toxic dye, so as to provide a pleasing appearance.

The liquid forms in which the novel compositions of the present invention may be incorporated for administration include suitable flavored emulsions with edible oils, such as, cottonseed oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, peanut oil, and the like, as well as elixirs and similar pharmaceutical vehicles. Sterile suspensions or solutions can be prepared for parenteral use. Isotonic preparations containing suitable preservatives are also desirable for injection use.

The term dosage form, as described herein, refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosage for warm-blooded animal subjects, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active component calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical diluent, carrier or vehicle. The specification for the novel dosage forms of this invention are indicated by characteristics of the active component and the particular therapeutic effect to be achieved or the limitations inherent in the art of compounding such an active component for therapeutic use in warm-blooded animals as disclosed in this specification. Examples of suitable oral dosage forms in accord with this invention are tablets, capsules, pills, powder packets, granules, wafers, cachets, teaspoonfuls, dropperfuls, ampules, vials, segregated multiples of any of the foregoing and other forms as herein described.

The complement inhibiting activity of the compounds of this invention has been demonstrated by one or more of the following identified tests: (i) Test Code 026 (C1 inhibitor)--This test measures the ability of activated human C1 to destroy fluid phase human C2 in the presence of C4 and appropriate dilutions of the test compound. As active inhibitor protects C2 from C1 and C4; (ii) Test Code 035 (C3-C9 inhibitor)--This test determines the ability of the late components of human complement (C3-C9) to lyse EAC 142 in the presence of appropriate dilutions of the test compound. An active inhibitor protects EAC 142 from lysis by human C3-C9; (iii) Test Code 036 (C-Shunt inhibitor)--In this test human erythrocytes rendered fragile are lysed in autologous serum via the shunt pathway activated by cobra venom factor in the presence of appropriate dilutions of the test compound. Inhibition of the shunt pathway results in failure of lysis; (iv) Forssman Vasculitis Test--Here, the well known complement dependent lesion, Forssman vasculitis, is produced in guinea pigs by intradermal injection of rabbit anti-Forssman antiserum. The lesion is measured in terms of diameter, edema and hemorrhage and the extent to which a combined index of these is inhibited by prior intraperitoneal injection of the test compound at 200 mg/kg is then reported, unless otherwise stated; (v) Forssman Shock Test--Lethal shock is produced in guinea pigs by an i.v. injection of anti-Forssman antiserum and the harmonic mean death time of treated guinea pigs is compared with that of simultaneous controls; (vi) Complement Level Reduction Test--In this test, the above dosed guinea pigs, or others, are bled for serum and the complement level is determined in undiluted serum by the capillary tube method of U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,376 and compared to undosed control guinea pigs; (viii) Cap 50 Test--Here, appropriate amounts of the test compound are added to a pool of guinea pig serum in vitro, after which the undiluted serum capillary tube assay referred to above is run. The concentration of compound inhibiting 50% is reported; and (viii) Guinea Pig Intraperitoneal Test (GPIP)--Guinea Pigs weighing about 300 g. are dosed intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 200 mg./kg. of the test compound dissolved in saline and adjusted to pH 7-8. Approximately 0.4 ml. blood samples, taken by orbital sinus puncture 30 minutes and 1 hour after injections, are collected directly into centrifuge tubes; 5 ml. blood samples, taken by decapitation 2 hours after injection are collected directly into diSPo® beakers. The samples were allowed to clot, centrifuged, and the resultant sera were assayed for complement activity using the capillary complement assay. Percent inhibition are calculated by comparison with simultaneous controls. The results appear in Table I together with results of Test Code 026, 035, 036 and Cap 50. Table I shows that the principal compound of the invention possesses highly significant in vitro and in vivo complement inhibiting activity in warm-blooded animals.

                                      TABLE I                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Biological Activities                                                                                        In Vivo Activity                                                               (Guinea pig)                                                          Shunt    % Inhibition                                                  Cl  C-Late                                                                             Inhibition                                                                              Intraperitoneal                                               026*                                                                               035*                                                                               036*     Time (Min.)                                      Compound     Wells                                                                              Wells                                                                              Wells                                                                               Cap 50                                                                             30 60 120                                        __________________________________________________________________________     5,5',5"-[s-Phenenyltris                                                        (sulfonylimino) ]tri-m-ben-                                                                 +8**                                                                               N   N    116 -75                                                                               -75                                                                               -81                                        zenedisulfonic acid hexa-                                                      sodium salt                                                                    __________________________________________________________________________      *Tests identified by code herein                                               **Activity in wells, a serial dilution assay; higher well number indicate      higher activity. The serial dilutions are twofold                              N = Negative                                                             

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following examples describe in detail the preparation and formulation of representative compounds of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1 5,5',5"-[s-Phenenyltris(sulfonylimino)]tri-m-benzenedisulfonic acid, hexasodium salt

A mixture of 141 g. of disodium benzene-1,3-disulfonate in 450 ml. of concentrated sulfuric acid is stirred and heated to 65° C. During the course of 31/4 hours, 120 g. of sodium nitrate are added in portions while the mixture is stirred and maintained at 70° C. After addition is complete, the mixture is cooled to 5° C. and 900 g. of ice are added with stirring. The mixture is filtered overnight with vaccum. The cake is warmed on a steam bath in 250 ml. of hot water, filtered and washed with hot water. The combined filtrate and wash is cooled to 5° C. and the resulting crystals are collected by filtration giving disodium 5-nitrobenzene-1,3-disulfonate.

A mixture of 163.5 g. of disodium-5-nitrobenzene-1,3-disulfonate, 502 g. of thionyl chloride and 10 ml. of dimethylformamide is refluxed overnight, cooled and chloroform is added. The mixture is filtered, washed with chloroform and the combined filtrate and washing is evaporated to a yellow solid. This solid is recrystallized by boiling in a mixture of 50 ml. of chloroform and 300 ml. of carbon tetrachloride, cooling in an ice bath and drying the solid in vacuo at 60° C. giving 5-nitro-1,3-benzenedisulfonyl chloride.

A mixture of 127 g. of 5-nitro-1,3-benzenedisulfonyl chloride, 127 g. of p-tert.-butyl phenol and 350 ml. of dry pyridine is stirred first at room temperature and then on a steam bath for 2 hours. The mixture is cooled and poured into a mixture of ice and 420 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid, bringing the total volume to 2 liters, and stirred for one hour. The resulting solid is collected by filtration, washed with water, dried and then dissolved in a hot mixture of 400 ml. of acetone and 450 ml. of ethanol. The mixture is cooled to room temperature and then cooled in an ice bath for 2 hours. The resulting solid is collected by filtration, washed with cold ethanol and dried at 75° C., giving 5-nitro-1,3-benzenedisulfonic acid, di-(p-tert.-butylphenyl)ester.

A mixture of 138 g. of 5-nitro-1,3-benzenedisulfonic acid, di-(p-tert.-butylphenyl)ester and 14 g. of 10% palladium on carbon catalyst in 1.2 liters of tetrahydrofuran is hydrogenated on a Parr shaker at 20 lb./sq. in. initial pressure and the temperature maintained below 40° C. for 31/2 hours. A 7.0 g. portion of 10% palladium on carbon is added and hydrogenation continued for 2 hours. The catalyst is removed by filtration, 7.0 g. of fresh catalyst is added to the filtrate and hydrogenation is continued for 22 hours. The catalyst is removed by filtration. The filtrate is concentrated to dryness and the residue is crystallized from hot toluene, giving 5-amino-m-benzenedisulfonic acid, di-(p-tert.-butylphenyl)ester.

To a solution of 23.3 g. of 5-amino-m-benzenedisulfonic acid di-(p-tert.-butylphenyl)ester in 75 ml. of dry pyridine is added 6.16 g. of 1,3,5-benzenetrisulfonyl chloride. The mixture is stirred at 40°-83° C. over one hour, cooled and poured into 375 ml. of water containing 78 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The resulting solid is collected by filtration and washed with water. This solid is stirred with 500 ml. of 0.5 N sodium hydroxide for 30 minutes, then acidified with 26 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid, filtered and the solid is washed with water and air dried overnight. This solid is dissolved in 250 ml. of dichloromethane, giving an emulsion which is partially broken with the addition of 200 ml. of saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution. The layers are separated and the remaining emulsion is broken up by filtration through a sintered glass funnel. The combined organic layers are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered through diatomaceous silica and evaporated to a yellow glass. This glass is dissolved in 100 ml. of dichloromethane and filtered through 100 g. of hydrous magnesium silicate. The hydrous magnesium silicate is washed successively with 200 ml., 200 ml. and 400 ml. of dichloromethane. The individual washes are evaporated, the solids from each are combined and dried overnight in a pistol at 56° C. giving 5,5',5"-[s-phenenyltris(sulfonylimino)]tri-m-benzenedisulfonic acid, hexa(p-tert.-butylphenyl)ester as a pale yellow glass.

A 2.0 g portion of sodium is dissolved in 50 ml. of absolute ethanol, evaporated to dryness and the residue is dissolved in 25 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide. To this is added a solution of 9.1 g. of 5,5',5"-[s-phenenyltris(sulfonylimino)]-tri-m-benzenedisulfonic acid, hexa(p-tert.-butylphenyl)ester in 25 ml. of dimethyl sulfoxide. The solution is heated on a steam bath for 30 minutes, cooled, poured into 500 ml. of absolute ethanol to provide the N-sodio salt of the title compound which is acidified with 5 ml. of acetic acid. The resulting hexasodium compound is collected by filtration and washed with ethanol and ether. This solid is dissolved in 25 ml. of water, 1.0 g. of sodium acetate trihydrate is added and the solution is poured into 250 ml. of absolute ethanol. The resulting solid is collected by filtration, washed with ethanol and ether and dried in a pistol at 110° C. overnight, giving the desired product as a beige powder.

EXAMPLE 2 4,4',4"-[s-Phenenyltris(sulfonylimino)]tris-benzenesulfonic acid, trisodium salt

Following the procedure of Example 1, the use of sodium p-nitrobenzenesulfonate provides the product of the example.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of Compressed Tablet

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient             mg/Tablet                                               ______________________________________                                         Active Compound        0.5-500                                                 Dibasic Calcium Phosphate N.F.                                                                        qs                                                      Starch USP             40                                                      Modified Starch        10                                                      Magnesium Stearate USP 1-5                                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of Compressed Tablet--Sustained Action

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient            mg/Tablet                                                ______________________________________                                         Active Compound as Aluminum                                                                          0.5-500 (as acid                                         Lake*, Micronized     equivalent)                                              Dibasic Calcium Phosphate N.F.                                                                       qs                                                       Alginic Acid          20                                                       Starch USP            35                                                       Magnesium Stearate USP                                                                               1-10                                                     ______________________________________                                          *Complement inhibitor plus aluminum sulfate yields aluminum complement         inhibitor. Complement inhibitor content in aluminum lake ranges from           5-30%.                                                                   

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of Hard Shell Capsule

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient            mg/Capsule                                               ______________________________________                                         Active Compound       0.5-500                                                  Lactose, Spray Dried  qs                                                       Magnesium Stearate    1-10                                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of Oral Liquid (Syrup)

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient            % W/V                                                    ______________________________________                                         Active Compound       0.05-5                                                   Liquid Sugar          75.0                                                     Methyl Paraben USP    0.18                                                     Propyl Paraben USP    0.02                                                     Flavoring Agent       qs                                                       Purified Water qs ad  100.0                                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 7 Preparation of Oral Liquid (Elixir)

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient            % W/V                                                    ______________________________________                                         Active Compound       0.05-5                                                   Alcohol USP           12.5                                                     Glycerin USP          45.0                                                     Syrup USP             20.0                                                     Flavoring Agent       qs                                                       Purified Water qs ad  100.0                                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 8 Preparation of Oral Suspension (Syrup)

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient           % W/V                                                     ______________________________________                                         Active Compound as Aluminum                                                                         0.05-5                                                    Lake, Micronized     (acid equivalent)                                         Polysorbate 80 USP   0.1                                                       Magnesium Aluminum Silicate,                                                   Colloidal            0.3                                                       Flavoring Agent      qs                                                        Methyl Paraben USP   0.18                                                      Propyl Paraben USP   0.02                                                      Liquid Sugar         75.0                                                      Purified Water qs ad 100.0                                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 9 Preparation of Injectable Solution

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient            % W/V                                                    ______________________________________                                         Active Compound       0.05-5                                                   Benzyl Alcohol N.F.   0.9                                                      Water for Injection   100.0                                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 10 Preparation of Injectable Oil

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient            % W/V                                                    ______________________________________                                         Active Compound       0.05-5                                                   Benzyl Alcohol        1.5                                                      Sesame Oil qs ad      100.0                                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 11 Preparation of Intra-Articular Product

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient           Amount                                                    ______________________________________                                         Active Compound      2-20 mg                                                   NaCl (physiological saline)                                                                         0.9%                                                      Benzyl Alcohol       0.9%                                                      Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose                                                                       1-5%                                                      pH adjusted to 5.0-7.5                                                         Water for Injection qs ad                                                                           100%                                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 12 Preparation of Injectable Depo Suspension

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient           % W/V                                                     ______________________________________                                         Active Compound      0.05-5                                                                         (acid equivalent)                                         Polysorbate 80 USP   0.2                                                       Polyethylene Glycol 4000 USP                                                                        3.0                                                       Sodium Chloride USP  0.8                                                       Benzyl Alcohol N.F.  0.9                                                       HCl to pH 6-8        qs                                                        Water for Injection qs ad                                                                           100.0                                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 13 Preparation of Dental Paste

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient               % W/W                                                 ______________________________________                                         Active Compound          0.05-5                                                Zinc Oxide               15                                                    Polyethylene Glycol 4000 USP                                                                            50                                                    Distilled Water qs       100                                                   ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 14 Preparation of Dental Ointment

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient             % W/W                                                   ______________________________________                                         Active Compound        0.05-5                                                  Petrolatum, White USP qs                                                                              100                                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 15 Preparation of Dental Cream

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient              % W/W                                                  ______________________________________                                         Active Compound         0.05-5                                                 Mineral Oil             50                                                     Beeswax                 15                                                     Sorbitan Monostearate   2                                                      Polyoxyethylene 20 Sorbitan                                                    Monostearate            3                                                      Methyl Paraben USP      0.18                                                   Propyl Paraben USP      0.02                                                   Distilled Water qs      100                                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 16 Preparation of Topical Cream

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient            % W/W                                                    ______________________________________                                         Active Compound       0.05-5                                                   Sodium Lauryl Sulfate 1                                                        Propylene Glycol      12                                                       Stearyl Alcohol       25                                                       Petrolatum, White USP 25                                                       Methyl Paraben USP    0.18                                                     Propyl Paraben USP    0.02                                                     Purified Water qs     100                                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 17 Preparation of Topical Ointment

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient             % W/W                                                   ______________________________________                                         Active Compound        0.05-5                                                  Cholesterol            3                                                       Stearyl Alcohol        3                                                       White Wax              8                                                       Petrolatum, White USP qs                                                                              100                                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 18 Preparation of Spray Lotion (non-Aerosol)

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient             % W/W                                                   ______________________________________                                         Active Compound        0.05-5                                                  Isopropyl Myristate    20                                                      Alcohol (Denatured) qs 100                                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 19 Preparation of Buccal Tablet

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient               g/Tablet                                              ______________________________________                                         Active Ingredient        0.00325                                               6x Sugar                 0.29060                                               Acacia                   0.01453                                               Soluble Starch           0.01453                                               F. D. & C. Yellow No. 6 Dye                                                                             0.00049                                               Magnesium Stearate       0.00160                                                                        0.32500                                               ______________________________________                                    

The final tablet will weigh about 325 mg. and may be compressed into buccal tablets in flat faced or any other tooling shape convenient for buccal administration.

EXAMPLE 20 Preparation of Lozenge

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient              g/Lozenge                                              ______________________________________                                         Active Ingredient       0.0140                                                 Kompact® Sugar (Sucrest Co.)                                                                       0.7138                                                 6x Sugar                0.4802                                                 Sorbitol (USP Crystalline)                                                                             0.1038                                                 Flavor                  0.0840                                                 Magnesium Stearate      0.0021                                                 Dye                     qs                                                     Stearic Acid            0.0021                                                                         1.4000                                                 ______________________________________                                    

The ingredients are compressed into 5/8" flat based lozenge tooling. Other shapes may also be utilized. 

We claim:
 1. A method of inhibiting the complement system in a body fluid which comprises subjecting said body fluid to the action of an effective complement inhibiting amount of a compound of the formula: ##STR3## wherein each R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkali metal; each R₁, R₂ and R₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and SO₃ A, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt cation; provided that at least one of the R₁, R₂ and R₃ groups on each phenyl is SO₃ A; and further provided that when R₂ is SO₃ A, R₁ and R₃ may not be SO₃ A.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the body fluid is blood serum.
 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the compound is 5,5',5"-[s-phenenyltris(sulfonylimino)]tri-m-benzenedisulfonic acid, hexasodium salt.
 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the compound is 4,4',4"-[s-phenenyltris(sulfonylimino)]tri-benzenesulfonic acid, trisodium salt.
 5. A method of inhibiting the complement system in a warm-blooded animal which comprises administering to said animal an effective complement inhibiting amount of a compound of the formula: ##STR4## wherein each R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkali metal; each R₁, R₂ and R₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and SO₃ A, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt cation; provided that at least one of the R₁, R₂ and R₃ groups on each phenyl is SO₃ A; and further provided that when R₂ is SO₃ A, R₁ and R₃ may not be SO₃ A.
 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the compound is administered internally.
 7. A method according to claim 5, wherein the compound is administered topically.
 8. A method according to claim 5, wherein the compound is administered periodontally in the oral cavity.
 9. A method according to claim 6, wherein the compound is administered intra-articularly.
 10. A method according to claim 5, wherein the compound is 5,5',5"-[s-phenenyltris(sulfonylimino)]tri-m-benzenedisulfonic acid, hexasodium salt.
 11. A method according to claim 5, wherein the compound is 4,4',4"-[s-phenenyltris(sulfonylimino)]tri-benzenesulfonic acid, trisodium salt. 